10 November 2023

The songwriting competition Cân i Gymru 2024 – one of the highlights of the Welsh musical calendar – is now open for entrants.

The competition will return next year with a host of new elements.

For the first time, the live final will be held on Swansea Arena's huge stage, on Friday 1st March 2024; St David's Day.

Musician Osian Huw Williams, lead singer of the Candelas and former co-winner of the award will chair the jury, mentor the competitors and present the brand new Cân i Gymru trophy to the winner.

The composer of the winning song will also claim a prize of £5,000 and a performance contract, with the second prize winner winning £3,000 and the third prize winner winning £2,000.

These are the largest second and third prizes in the history of the competition.

There will be a chance to watch the competition live on S4C with Trystan Ellis-Morris and Elin Fflur returning to present the evening.

Viewers across the country and beyond are all set to host Cân i Cymru viewing parties, and the programme will encourage parties to be part of the live event.

There will be an opportunity for people to join the excitement live at Swansea Arena, and tickets will be available to book very soon.

The competition is now open and welcomes submissions for the prestigious Cân i Gymru 2024 title.

The deadline to apply is Friday 5th January.

The contestants who will perform in the live show will be announced on Monday 12th February, with the show itself held on 1st March.

Osian Huw Williams said:

"I'm really excited to be chairing the judges panel because I'll get to see who I want to work with, but also since I've been involved in the competition myself in the past it's always entertaining, always fun, so to be able to be even more of a part of it is very exciting.

"The composing element is very important because it gives someone, especially young people starting out, a national platform similar to when we won back in 2013, it gets your name out there.

"Go for it – there's nothing stopping you whether you're alone in your room with a cluster of songs or with just the one song, or you're with a band, you don't know what will happen."

To apply, visit S4C website for more information, terms and conditions and an application form: https://www.s4c.cymru/en/entertainment/cn-i-gymru/